Heidelberg residents from previously disadvantaged communities are demanding answers.
On November 30, residents of Ratanda, Jameson Park and Heidelberg held a protest march against the Lesedi Local Municipality (LLM) regarding service delivery, especially the blocking of electricity pre-paid meters.
The protesters went to where LLM Mayor Mluleki Nkosi was in a meeting and demanded to speak to him.
Nkosi referred them to the LLM municipal offices to sort out the issue.
Protesters were from as far as Jameson Park and Ratanda.
When the protesters arrived at the LLM offices, all the entrance gates were locked, and no one was allowed onto the property.
“We want clarification as to why our electricity meters are blocked. We are unable to get assistance or get our meters unblocked,” said the spokesperson for the protesters, Sandile Maseko.
“There are constant indigent roadshows and drives to get us registered, but when we are registered, we constantly hit hurdles.
“As registered indigents, we are not getting any assistance from LLM. We have the papers that we are registered as indigents and want to pay for electricity but can not do so.
“We want to have this as peaceful a protest as possible, but if the LLM is not going to meet us halfway, we could be forced to take matters into our own hands.
“This is stage one of the protest action. If there is no response from LLM, we will increase the action and mobilize more people. We will not stop until we get a satisfactory result.”
The protesters vowed to protest as often as possible until they get the desired response from LLM.
The Heidelberg SAPS and Lesedi Traffic Department were on the scene to monitor the situation.
There were reports of vandalism due to the protest, but this could not be confirmed.
With the gates locked, no one was allowed onto the premises, and those inside were not allowed to leave.
According to LLM spokesperson Katleho Seaga, the mayor addressed the protesters.
“The issue is about the implementation of credit control. People who have paid their current account and are still blocked due to a system glitch stipulated on the latest statement (November 27).
“Any errors that communities feel aggrieved about from the credit-control can come and engage the municipality,” said Seaga.
After dispersing, the protesters closed the R49 Vaaldam Road with burning tyres and threw stones at motorists.
The protesters are still unhappy with the lack of help from the LLM.
